ERNEST C. ALLEN.

Page 341-342

Ernest C. Allen is the owner of a farm of one hundred and forty-two and a
half acres on section 17, Jackson township, and carefully cultivates his fields
with the result that he annually gathers good harvests. He is a native of
Caldwell county, his birth having occurred within its borders on the 20th of
May, 1869, his parents being Joseph D. and Louise C. (Seitters) Allen. 'The
father was a physician and located in Kansas during the infancy of his son
Ernest. The mother afterward married Anthony F. Bonderer, of Utica, Missouri.

Ernest C. Allen acquired his education in the public schools of Utica which
he attended to the age of fourteen years. He then assisted his step-father at
cabinet-making until he was thirteen years of age, spending the rest of his time
until twenty-two in the cultivation of the farm. He then started out
independently in business and in the southern part of Missouri purchased a farm
which he sold some years later. At that time he bought the property which he now
owns on section 17, Jackson township, and has since devoted his attention to
general agricultural pursuits. He follows mixed farming, cultivating his fields,
developing his orchards and also raising stock. He has won success in these
various branches, owing to his unremitting diligence and energy.

On the 30th of October. 1894, in Utica, Missouri, Mr. Allen was united in
marriage to Miss Elizabeth Fuchs, a daughter of Christian and Anna Maria Fucks,
who came to this state in 1882 from Switzerland, in which country the father had
followed the occupation of farming. He died January 12, 1911, and was laid to
rest in the Roman Catholic cemetery in Chillicothe. His widow is residing in
Utica. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have become the parents of nine children: Joseph A., a
graduate of the Utica high school; George F., who is attending the public school
of Utica; and M. Louisa, August C., Ernestine C., Francis H., Thomas Lawrence,
Frank A., and E. Grace, all yet at home. The family occupy a pleasant residence
which Mr. Allen has remodeled. He has made many substantial improvements upon
the farm and has erected thereon all buildings which are adequate to the needs
of the place, furnishing ample shelter for grain and stock.

In politics Mr. Allen is independent, voting as his judgment dictates. His
religious faith is that of the Roman Catholic church. He attributes his success
to hard work and close attention to his business

and to the assistance of his wife, who has, indeed, been a helpmate to him
through all of his struggles and hardships - struggles which have brought him at
length to a creditable position among the substantial farmers of Livingston
county.